3:11 PM — A US athlete has become the first to speak out in favour of lesbian and gay people whilst competing on Russian soil, using his victory speech after winning silver, in protest against anti-gay laws passed in June.

13th August 2013

7:45 PM — A Russian state-funded TV host who this week denied being a homophobe after saying gay people's hearts are not suitable for organ donation, has again spoken on the issue of LGBT people in Russia to say that gay people "deliberately call, provoke situations, so that they become victims".

7:09 PM — Former Spanish Junior Swimming Champion Emmanuelle Schick fears the lessons of the 1933 Berlin Olympics have not been learnt when it comes to the IOC's handling of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

1:44 PM — The argument over the issue of recently introduced anti-gay laws in Russia, and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics has escalated, with Stephen Fry criticising the Daily Mail for what he called a "hate-piece", and comparing the paper's Editor Paul Dacre to Mussolini.

12:48 PM — The fifth Irish March for Marriage is due to take place in Dublin city centre on this coming Sunday afternoon. Last year saw thousands gather for what was described as a lively and colourful demonstration calling for the Irish Republic to introduce marriage equality.

10:32 AM — Lamine Diack, the President of the International Association of Athletes and member of the International Olympic Committee has said that he thinks there is "no problem whatsoever" with Russia's anti-gay laws.

12th August 2013

11:39 PM — The Russian Interior Ministry, which is responsible for the police, has confirmed that those who break Russia's ban on the promotion of gay lifestyles to minors will face arrest at the Sochi Winter Olympics Games next year.

6:22 PM — A Russian TV host has denied homophobia, since he came under heavy criticism after footage emerged during which he said that gay people should not be allowed to donate sperm or blood, and that their hearts should not even be used, as they are “unfit for extending anyone’s life”.

5:21 PM — During an interview with a senior member of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) from last week, the question of whether to relocate the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics because of recently introduced anti-gay laws, was raised for the first time.

4:12 PM — Footage has emerged of a Russian State-run television host who is seen saying that gay people should not be allowed to donate sperm or blood, and that their hearts should not even be used, as they are "unfit for extending anyone's life".

PinkNews covers religion, politics, entertainment, finance, and community news for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the UK and worldwide. Founded to produce broadsheet quality journalism for the LGBT community, we cover politics to theology in an intelligent manner.